Losses mount at ST on wireless slump

SAN
FRANCISCO-- STMicroelectronics lost nearly $500 million in its third
fiscal quarter thanks to sluggish overall demand and a write-down on its
troubled ST-Ericsson wireless business. It was the company's fourth
straight quarterly loss.

The net loss of $478 million came on revenue of $2.17 billion,
down 11 percent from last year's third quarter. Revenue was up
slightly from Q2's $2.15 billion.

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Bozotti is eyeing $150 million in annualized
savings by the end of 2013, and said the company will unveil its
new strategic plan in December. The goal of
the strategic plan, first
outlined in September, would be to accelerate the
company's road map toward its previously announced financial model,
taking into account the changed market environment. The company
said it wanted the two pillars of its business, analog and digital
ICs, to become sustainable segments of ST as quickly as possible.

That news came followed ST's announcement that it was planning
production stoppages at its wafer fabs in Crolles, France, and
Catania, Italy, amid reports that Bozotti will soon
announce a reorganization of the company that may include a change
of business model.